Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Motion Graphic Reel
Animation Reel
Old Animation Reel
References
Timeline
Generic

Michelle Swift

Austin

Summary

Accomplished artist with 19 years of experience in 3D animation, motion graphics, video production, and digital illustration. Proficient in Maya, After Effects, Premiere Pro, and Unreal Engine 5, with a strong track record of leading teams and delivering innovative visual narratives. Expertise in producing client-focused content that engages audiences and drives results. Committed to contributing to a dynamic creative environment that prioritizes excellence and innovation.

Overview

19
19
years of professional experience

Work History

Team Lead Animator

Strivr Labs
Palo Alto
12.2022 - 09.2024
  • I lead the VR CG team across all projects, directing animation, environments, and camera work.
  • I guide the team through scripts, providing revisions and feedback on all animation assets.
  • I oversee the CG and animation pipeline, drive R&D for AI tools (Metahuman Animator, Move.ai), and integrate them into our workflow.
  • I developed the pipeline for a new CG 360 VR product line, successfully pitched it to the company, and established it as a core product.
  • Beyond leading the CG team, I manage incoming CG requests, collaborate with Creative Directors, Project Managers, and writers on upcoming projects, and ensure QA for all final deliverables.
  • Proficient in Maya 2018–2023, UE5, Unity, Photoshop, After Effects 2023, and Premiere 2023.

Senior Animation Designer

Intertek Alchemy
Austin
07.2014 - 12.2022
  • I art direct and manage large-scale company training/eLearning projects from pre-production to post-production, including on-location and studio shoots, followed by editing in After Effects or Premiere.
  • I create character animations in Maya for clients like Home Depot and Weis Grocery, and develop 3D models and textures for Bettchers Industries and PMA.
  • I produce motion graphic animations in After Effects, utilizing tools like Trapcode Particular, Element3D, Optical Flares, and Animation Composer.
  • Proficient in Maya 2015–2022, After Effects 2015–2022, and Premiere 2015–2022.

2d Animator

Vitamin T > Sol Marketing > Dell
Austin
07.2018 - 10.2018
  • Produced 10 unique 2D animations for Dell's training platform.
  • Utilized After Effects 2017 for animation, Illustrator 2017 for storyboard preparation, and Premiere Pro 5.5 for voice-over integration and final video exports.

Animator | Motion Graphics Artist

The Beer Diaries
Austin
09.2013 - 06.2014
  • Created 2D and 3D animations for characters, facial expressions, animals, and cameras, along with motion graphic animations using Trapcode Particular (smoke, water, beer, snow, green toxic steam), lower thirds, name plates, and rotoscoping.
  • Proficient in After Effects CS 5.5 & CC, Maya 2014, and Premiere Pro 5.5.

Freelance 3d Animator

Rooster Teeth
Austin
07.2013 - 09.2013
  • Animated characters, facial, cameras and clean up motion capture (as well as created the motion capture) for YouTube series RWBY.
  • Programs: Maya 2012, Poser Pro, and Premiere Pro.

3d Artist / Animator | Power Systems Event Coordinator

IBM (through CTG, Inc.)
Austin
12.2011 - 12.2012
  • 3D product design for IBM Interactive Product Catalog.
  • Programs: 3dStudioMax and Photoshop CS3.
  • Provide clients with a SME (Subject Matter Experts) and IBM products (Kaon, servers, etc.) to large conference events held across the nation.

Freelance Motion Graphic Animator | Video Editor

DELL (through Liaison Resources)
Austin
09.2012 - 10.2012
  • Create motion graphics animation (animate, roto, screen replacement, etc.) and video editing (over 20 videos for the sales team) with the Dell VIBE group.
  • Converted RED footage in Premiere Pro 5.5.
  • Programs: After Effects CS5, Mocha & Premiere Pro CS 5.5 & 6.

Freelance Motion Graphic Specialist | 3D Artist & Animator | Video Editor

AMD (through Liaison Resources)
Austin
07.2012 - 08.2012
  • Help worked and edited a corporate commercial, created modeled & textured for curved monitor with camera animation, and modeled & textured AMD products.
  • Programs: After Effects CS5/CS6, Final Cut Pro 7, Maya 2012 and Photoshop CS5.

Character Animator

Black Lantern Studios
Austin
07.2008 - 01.2009
  • Animated characters for Family Fun Football flipping and diving for the Wii.
  • Programs: 3dStudioMax.

Cinematic Animator

Studio Nouveau, Inc.
Marina Del Rey
01.2008 - 05.2008
  • Animated cinematics (characters, facial, vehicles & cameras) for Resident Evil 5 on Xbox360 and PS3.
  • Programs: XSI and MotionBuilder.

Freelance Animator

Image Metrics, Inc.
Santa Monica
08.2007 - 01.2008
  • Animate facial expressions for two awesome video games for PS3 and Xbox360: Unreal Tournament 3 (EPIC) and Grand Theft Auto 4 (Rockstar).
  • Programs: 3dStudioMax and After Effects.

Motion Editor

Threshold Digital / C47 Production
Santa Monica
03.2007 - 06.2007
  • Prep, layout and clean up motion capture footage in MotionBuilder for the movie 'Food Fight!'.
  • Programs: MotionBuilder and Maya.

Freelance Character Animator

Moneyshots
West Hollywood
06.2006 - 02.2007
  • Character animation and facial animation for two Outkast music video ('Morris Brown' and 'Idlelwild Blues') 06/2006.
  • Programs: Maya.
  • Then animated a few different types of various character walk cycles for a Visa commercial 02/2007.
  • Programs: Maya.

Freelance Character Animator

Tactical Language
West Los Angeles
11.2006 - 01.2007
  • Animated characters for a PC game (which is for the Army) that helps teach soldiers how to speak a foreign language.
  • Programs: Maya.

Freelance Character Animator

Eyestorm Production
Santa Monica
04.2006 - 05.2006
  • Rigged and animated character for a short commercial spot from Lucas Arts to be revealed at E3 2006.
  • Programs: Maya.

Character Animator

Luminetik Animation Studio
Santa Monica
08.2005 - 03.2006
  • Created character animations and camera animations for a short called 'Kuriocity'.
  • Programs: Maya.

Education

Bachelor of Fine Art - Animation And Special Effects

Academy of Art University
San Francisco, CA
05.2005

Skills

  • Maya
  • 3d Max
  • MotionBuilder
  • UE5
  • Unreal Engine
  • Photoshop
  • After Effects
  • Premiere
  • Illustrator
  • Auditions
  • Audacity
  • Pro Tools
  • Metahuman Animator
  • Moveai
  • InDesign
  • Final Cut
  • 2d/3d animation
  • Motion capture cleaning

Motion Graphic Reel

https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/699461061

Animation Reel

https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/949336727 Password: @Austin512

Old Animation Reel

https://vimeo.com/177328776 Password: Boreal2019

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Team Lead Animator

Strivr Labs
12.2022 - 09.2024

2d Animator

Vitamin T > Sol Marketing > Dell
07.2018 - 10.2018

Senior Animation Designer

Intertek Alchemy
07.2014 - 12.2022

Animator | Motion Graphics Artist

The Beer Diaries
09.2013 - 06.2014

Freelance 3d Animator

Rooster Teeth
07.2013 - 09.2013

Freelance Motion Graphic Animator | Video Editor

DELL (through Liaison Resources)
09.2012 - 10.2012

Freelance Motion Graphic Specialist | 3D Artist & Animator | Video Editor

AMD (through Liaison Resources)
07.2012 - 08.2012

3d Artist / Animator | Power Systems Event Coordinator

IBM (through CTG, Inc.)
12.2011 - 12.2012

Character Animator

Black Lantern Studios
07.2008 - 01.2009

Cinematic Animator

Studio Nouveau, Inc.
01.2008 - 05.2008

Freelance Animator

Image Metrics, Inc.
08.2007 - 01.2008

Motion Editor

Threshold Digital / C47 Production
03.2007 - 06.2007

Freelance Character Animator

Tactical Language
11.2006 - 01.2007

Freelance Character Animator

Moneyshots
06.2006 - 02.2007

Freelance Character Animator

Eyestorm Production
04.2006 - 05.2006

Character Animator

Luminetik Animation Studio
08.2005 - 03.2006

Bachelor of Fine Art - Animation And Special Effects

Academy of Art University

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Michelle Swift